Kosher Fitness
By Michael Ungar
It’s that time of the year; the travel season in the northern hemisphere is almost in full swing. With warmer weather comes the desire to get out and see the world, both nearby and farther away.
Last year when I turned 60, my aunt (who is in her 80s) told me that the 60s are the years to travel. As she explained it, the kids have already launched, (and therefore) more money is usually available, and serious health issues hopefully have not started to crop up yet. My wife (who is nine years younger than I) and I have decided to make the most of this decade, understanding that nothing is ever guaranteed. My mom’s motto could have been, “Life is uncertain; eat dessert first.” In other words, take opportunities when they present themselves because they may not reappear.
Unfortunately, too many people save up for their “golden years” to travel or engage in new adventures or hobbies, but by the time they retire they do not have the capability to really enjoy these things.
The National Institutes of Health and many other organizations have studied the benefits of travel for seniors. Among the findings were “that travel has a beneficial long-term health effect. Travel within the last two years reduced the risk of death by 36.6%…. The more trips taken, the lower the risk of death. An increase in the number of trips was associated with a 13.6% reduction in the risk of death.” Sounds like more fun than exercising and eating healthy, right?
Some of the other benefits that travel can provide for seniors according to Outlook Retirement are:
- Rejuvenation and Active Lifestyle. Traveling often involves walking, sightseeing and trying new things. These help to give us a “breath of fresh air” and encourage physical activity.
- Social Connections and Personal Growth. Traveling allows us to meet new people and interact in different ways with others we may know already. This is especially true for group travel. Additionally, being exposed to new places, cultures, foods, etc. helps to broaden our perspective and challenges our ways of thinking about the world.
- Cognitive and Memory Boost. Being in a new environment, having to navigate unfamiliar territory, and even learning a few words in a foreign language all have healthy benefits for the brain. One of the ways that we build and strengthen neural pathways is by problem-solving. The stimulation of the brain in these ways can also helps with memory.
- Stress Relief and Emotional Well-Being. There is an expression in Hebrew, “change your place, change your luck.” What this really means is that being in a different place can get us out of our ruts. Getting out of our everyday patterns can reduce stress and help us understand ourselves and others more clearly. Depending on where we travel, we can also see stunning vistas, great human accomplishments, or even just beautiful sunsets that can help us to appreciate the world around us.
- Lifelong Learning and Cultural Enrichment. Being in new places can expose us to new ideas. We can also explore museums, galleries, neighborhoods, historical monuments, etc. that add to our knowledge of the world and history. Learning about other cultures can also deepen our understanding of diversity and ourselves.
Not everyone has the means to travel abroad, but much of this applies to places that can be no more than a few hours drive or train ride away from home. I have lived in Cleveland for less than six years and I am still discovering new neighborhoods, museums and parks. Getting out and seeing the world is fun. We also know that it has serious benefits—health and otherwise—for older adults. Let’s hit the road!
This lightly-edited blog with photo was originally published on kosher-fitness.com on 5/14/24 by Rabbi Ungar.
